refines|refined|refiningrɪ'faɪnverb+improve or perfect by pruning or polishing+make more complex, intricate, or richer+treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition+reduce to a fine, unmixed, or pure state; separate from extraneous matter or cleanse from impurities+attenuate or reduce in vigor, strength, or validity by polishing or purifying+make more precise or increase the discriminatory powers of

Thesaurus Dictionary

v.

1 purify, cleanse, clear, clarify, decontaminate:

They continued to refine the liquid till all the impurities were gone

2 cultivate, civilize, polish, improve, elevate, perfect:

He is trying to refine his speech by getting rid of his country accent

3 hone, sharpen, concentrate, focus, subtilize:

We ought to refine our argument for higher wages before approaching the management.

Advanced English Dictionary

+verb[VN]1 to make a substance pure by taking other substances out of it: the process of refining oil / sugar2 to improve sth by making small changes to it: She has refined her playing technique over the years. + This theory still needs a little refining.

Collocation Dictionaryverb

ADV.

slightly | further | increasingly | constantly, continuously

The information system is constantly refined and updated.

| gradually

VERB + REFINE

attempt to, try to | help (to)

PREP.

into

Sugar cane is refined into sugar.

Random quote: Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.: Marie Curie